Hydrops Fetalis Secondary to Bart Hemoglobinopathy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Alpha-thalassemia is the most common cause of hydrops fetalis among Southeast Asians. With the recent influx of Southeast Asian refugees and the rapidly growing Filipino population this will become an increasingly important obstetric problem in the USA. Homozygous .alpha.-thalassemia, or Bart hemoglobinopathy, is invariably fatal tothe fetus and produces significant maternal morbidity. Eighteen cases of homozygous .alpha.-thalassemia in one hospital are reviewed. This is the largest series reported in the United States. Recommendations are made for antenatal screening, diagnosis, and management of .alpha.-thalassemia.